Head cover for a golf club

ABSTRACT

A head cover for a golf club that is relatively simple use is provided. The head cover includes a cover body formed essentially of flexible, nonrigid material and a magnetic fastener. More particularly, the cover body defines an inner compartment for receiving at least the head of the golf club having an adjustable opening sized to provide easy access thereto. The magnetic fastener is disposed about the opening to at least partially shut the opening, thereby maintaining the head cover on the club head, once installed. As the fastener is operable via magnetic force, engagement and disengagement of the fastener is achieved without undue manipulation, thereby promoting frequent use of the head cover.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to golf club protection and,more particularly, to a head cover for a golf club.

Proper care of golf clubs is required both to maximize their usable lifeand to maintain their performance. An important aspect of proper careincludes keeping the head of the golf club covered when not in use, asthe clubs are inclined to knock against each other in the golf bag. Ifnot properly covered, damage to the club head and shaft can result.Thus, head covers are widely used.

Covers typically include a pouch-shaped upper portion for containing agolf club head and a narrowed portion extended therefrom sized toaccommodate the shaft. The upper portion is usually made of flexiblematerial, such as synthetic leather, and the tail portion is of knittedconstruction which expands and contracts when a golf club head. Sincethe tail portion is knitted, it will only expand to a limited extent andalthough it is relatively slim in comparison to the pouch shaped upperportion, it must be large enough to allow passage of the golf club head.

Although such prior covers are generally effective, deficiencies exist.For example, such head covers can be difficult to install and remove. Asa result, golfers tend to be lax with its use. This inevitably exposesthe club to additional damage, in turn, shortening the life of the club.Some prior head covers may incorporate enlarged opening to facilitateeasy access for the club head; however, such head cover can be lesssecure on the golf club. Such head covers also may incorporate fasteningassemblies that require some attention and precision to operate, therebydiscouraging frequent use.

It should, therefore, be appreciated that there exists a need for a headcover for a golf club that is relatively simple to install and remove onthe club head. The present invention fulfills this need and others.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a head cover having a cover body formedessentially of flexible, non-rigid and a magnetic fastener. Moreparticularly, the cover body defines an inner compartment for receivingthe club head and defines an adjustable opening to the inner compartmentsized to provide easy access thereto. The cover body may be providedwith a cushioned inner liner and an outer cover. The magnetic fasteneris disposed about the opening and is configured to at least partiallyshut the opening, thereby maintaining the head cover on the club head,once installed. As the fastener is operable via magnetic force,engagement and disengagement of the fastener is achieved without unduemanipulation. Thus, frequent use of the club head is promoted.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover body includes aflap disposed about the opening and a fastener region spaced apart fromthe flap about the opening. A first magnet of the magnetic fastener isdisposed in the flap, and a second magnet is disposed in the fastenerregion. Preferably, the flap is configured to overlap the fastenerregion such that the first and second magnets engage one another to atleast partially shut the opening.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the magnetic fastenerincludes first and second magnetic strips, each disposed incorresponding elongated edges positioned about the opening of the coverbody such that the first and second magnetic strips can engage oneanother to at least partially shut the opening.

In a detailed aspect of a preferred embodiment, the magnetic strips eachcomprise a plurality of magnets preferably disposed in a conformingsleeve, such as, heat shrink tubing. The elongated edges of the coverbody can be defined by a pair of elastic cords attached to the innerliner and the outer cover, and the magnetic strips can be disposedtherein.

For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achievedover the prior art, certain advantages of the invention have beendescribed herein. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarilyall such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particularembodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the artwill recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in amanner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantagesas taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as maybe taught or suggested herein.

All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of theinvention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of the presentinvention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description of the preferred embodiments havingreference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited toany particular preferred embodiment disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a first preferred embodiment of a head coverin accordance with the invention, depicting an elongated fastener in aclosed configuration extending longitudinally along the head cover.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the head cover of FIG. 1,depicting the elongated fastener partially disengaged.

FIG. 3 is a close-up cross-sectional view of a portion of the elongatedfastener from Area A of FIG. 2, depicting a magnetic sleeve disposedwithin a cord of the cover head.

FIG. 4, is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 3depicting a portion of the fastener of the head cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of a headcover in accordance with the invention, depicting a head cover having anelongated fastener and cover body configured for a putter-type golfclub.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of a headcover in accordance with the invention, depicting a head cover having aflap fastener for and a cover body for a putter-type golf club.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the illustrative drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1,there is shown a head cover 10 for a golf club generally sized toconformably receive a club head. The head cover includes an upper end 12that forms an inner compartment for the club head and a lower end 14that defines an opening 16 sized to wrap about a shaft for the golfclub. An elongated fastener 18 formed by aligned longitudinal edges 20extends from the lower end of the head cover toward the upper portionthereof Each longitudinal edge includes a hollow cord 24 along itslength. Magnetic strips 26 (FIG. 3) are disposed within the cords,thereby operating the fastener via magnetic force. With the fastenerengaged, the head cover is securely affixed to the golf club. With thefastener disengaged (see FIG. 2), the opening is enlarged to facilitateeasy installation and removal of the head cover about the golf club.Moreover, as the fastener is operable via magnetic force, engagement anddisengagement of the fastener is achieved without undue manipulation,thereby promoting frequent use of the head cover.

With reference now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the magnetic strips 26 eachcomprise a plurality of magnets 28 bound within a conforming sleeve 30.In the exemplary embodiment, the magnets are generally cylindricalhaving a length (L) of about 6 mm and a diameter (d) of about 0.5 mm.Also, the conforming sleeve is formed of heat shrink tubing, and themagnets are spaced therein a distance (s) of about 4 mm from oneanother. In this embodiment, about 23 magnets are used in each strip.Alternatively, each magnetic strip can comprise a single elongatedmagnet, or a plurality of magnets of various forms can be used. Forexample, four cylindrical magnet can be spaced along the longitudinaledge 20.

Each magnetic strip 26 is held in place along longitudinal edge 20 bythe cord 24. The cord is formed of elastic material and, as shown inFIG. 4, is bound to both an inner liner 32 and an outer cover 34 bystitching 36. The head cover 10 is preferably formed of flexible,non-rigid material. The inner liner is formed of soft, flexiblematerial, e.g., cotton, padded velvet and the like, that is non-abrasiveto the club head. The outer cover is also formed of flexible material;however, the material of the outer cover maybe selected to furtherprovide some structural integrity to the cover head. Examples ofmaterial for the outer cover include leather and synthetic rubber (e.g.,neoprene). In other embodiments, rigid supports may be spaced about thecover body to aid in protection of the club head and/or to provide shapeto the cover body. For example, the head cover may include a metal wire(not shown) disposed in piping 37 (FIG. 2) defined in the outer cover.

With reference now to FIG. 5, a head cover 50 configured for use with aputter-type golf club is shown. The head cover includes a magneticfastener 52 having a similar configuration as described above. With thefastener disengaged, the head cover provides an enlarged opening 54enabling easy access for the putter head. The fastener includes twomagnetic strips 56; each disposed in a portion of aligned edges 58. Inother embodiments, the magnetic strips also can be disposedsubstantially the entire length of the aligned edges. The head coverdefines a slot 60 positioned to correspond with the location of theshaft relative to the club head. In the exemplary embodiment, the slotis centrally located for use with putters having a center hosel.Nonetheless, other embodiments can be configured to accommodate variousother club head configurations, including various woods, irons andwedges.

FIG. 6 depicts another preferred embodiment of a head cover 70. In thisembodiment, the head cover includes a flap 72 having a magnet 74 thatoverlaps a fastener portion 76 of the head cover having a second magnet(not shown) aligned with the first magnet, thereby forming a fastener80. The magnets of this embodiment are cylindrical, having a diameter ofabout 15 mm and thickness of about 3 mm, and are disposed in pocketsformed between an outer cover 84 and an inner liner 86 of the headcover. Although the exemplary embodiment is configured for a putter-typegolf club, embodiments incorporating magnetic flap fasteners can beconfigured to accommodate various other club head configurations,including woods, irons and wedges.

It should be appreciated from the foregoing that the present inventionprovides a head cover for a golf club that is relatively simple use. Thehead cover includes a cover body formed essentially of flexible,non-rigid material and a magnetic fastener. More particularly, the coverbody defines an inner compartment for receiving at least the head of thegolf club having an adjustable opening sized to provide easy accessthereto. The magnetic fastener is disposed about the opening to at leastpartially shut the opening, thereby maintaining the head cover on theclub head, once installed. As the fastener is operable via magneticforce, engagement and disengagement of the fastener is achieved withoutundue manipulation, thereby promoting frequent use of the head cover.

Although the invention has been disclosed in detail with reference onlyto the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat additional head covers for golf clubs can be included withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention isdefined only by the claims set forth below.

1. A head cover for golf club comprising: a cover body formedessentially of flexible, non-rigid material, the cover body defining aninner compartment to accommodate a head of a golf club and defining anopening of sufficient size for the head of the golf club to be insertedinto and removed from the inner compartment; and a magnetic fastenerpositioned about the opening to at least partially shut the opening. 2.A head cover as defined in claim 1, wherein: the cover body includes aflap disposed about the opening and a fastener region disposed about theopening, spaced apart from the flap; and the magnetic fastener includesa first magnet disposed in the flap and a second magnet disposed in thefastener region such that the first and second magnets engage oneanother to at least partially shut the opening.
 3. A head cover asdefined in claim 1, wherein: the magnetic fastener includes first andsecond magnetic strips, each disposed in corresponding elongated edgespositioned about the opening of the cover body; and the first and secondmagnetic strips can engage one another to at least partially shut theopening.
 4. A head cover as defined in claim 3, wherein the magneticstrips each comprise a plurality of magnets.
 5. A head cover as definedin claim 4, wherein the magnetic strips each comprise at least fourmagnets disposed in a conforming sleeve.
 6. A head cover as defined inclaim 1, wherein the cover body comprise a cushioned inner liner and anouter cover.
 7. A head cover as defined in claim 6, wherein: the coverbody includes a pair of elongated edges disposed on opposing sides ofthe opening that at least partially define the opening, when unengaged;the magnetic fastener includes a pair of magnetic strips disposed theelongated edges of cover body such that the first and second magneticstrips engage one another to at least partially shut the opening.
 8. Ahead cover as defined in claim 6, wherein the head cover furthercomprises a metal wire disposed within piping defined by the outercover.
 9. A head cover as defined in claim 6, wherein: the cover bodyincludes a flap disposed about the opening and having a magnetic regiondisposed about the opening, spaced apart from the flap; and the magneticfastener includes a first magnet disposed in the flap and a secondmagnet disposed in the magnetic region such that the first and secondmagnets engage one another to at least partially shut the opening.
 10. Ahead cover for golf club comprising: a cover body having an inner linerand an outer cover, both formed essentially of flexible, non-rigidmaterial defining an compartment to accommodate a head of a golf cluband defining an opening of sufficient size for the head of the golf clubto be inserted into and removed from the inner compartment; and amagnetic fastener having first and second magnetic portions spaced apartfrom one another adjacent to the opening such that the first and secondmagnetic portions can engage one another to at least partially shut theopening.
 11. A head cover as defined in claim 10, wherein: the coverbody includes a flap disposed about the opening having the firstmagnetic portion disposed therein, and a fastener region disposed aboutthe opening, spaced apart from the flap, and having the second magneticportion disposed therein; and the flap overlaps the fastener region suchthat the first and second magnets engage one another to at leastpartially shut the opening.
 12. A head cover as defined in claim 10,wherein: the cover body comprises a pair of elongated edges disposed onopposing sides of the opening that at least partially define theopening, when unengaged; and the first and second magnetic portions aremagnetic strips disposed in the elongated edges of cover body such thatthe magnetic strips can engage one another to at least partially securethe opening.
 13. A head cover as defined in claim 12, wherein themagnetic strips each comprise a plurality of magnets.
 14. A head coveras defined in claim 12, wherein the magnetic strips each comprise aplurality of magnets disposed in heat shrink tubing.
 15. A head cover asdefined in claim 14, wherein the pair of elongated edges are defined bya pair of elastic cords attached to the inner liner and the outer cover,the elastic cords having the magnetic strips disposed therein.